Contact Information

The NIEHS supports and conducts studies to determine how exposure to chemicals or other agents in the environment may influence a variety of diseases.

NIEHS Studies - Open for Recruitment

Innate Immunity Signal Transduction. The Innate Immunity Signal Transduction in Human Leukocytes is a research study to determine the response of immune cells from the bloodstream. Blood cells will be taken from a routine blood specimen at the NIEHS Clinical Research Unit in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Qualified participants that donate up to 320 ml of blood, approximately 1 ½ cups, will receive $40 per donation. Each participant may donate up to every 8 weeks. For additional information on the study, please visit the Innate Immunity Signal Transduction Study. To volunteer or learn more, contact Nicole Edwards at 919-541-9899.

Sample Collection Registry. The Sample Collection Registry for Quality Control of Biological and Environmental Specimens and Assay Development is a registry to obtain biologic and environmental samples for use in laboratory assay evaluation. The samples will be used for quality control purposes and to determine if new tests are sufficiently valid and precise for use in research studies. Qualified participants will receive $35 for their blood samples. For additional information on the registry and other samples being collected, please visit the Sample Collection Registry. To volunteer or learn more, contact Nicole Edwards at 919-541-9899.

BPA Biomonitoring Study in Cashiers
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used to make some plastics and food can liners, has also been identified in cashier tape. This study will evaluate whether cashiers have higher levels of BPA in their blood or urine after a work shift.

DNA Registry for Diseases. The Environmental Polymorphisms Registry (EPR) is a long-term research project to collect DNA samples from up to 20,000 individuals in the greater North Carolina Triangle Region. These samples will be used to examine an individual's susceptibility to common conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other illnesses. These conditions require both a genetic predisposition and environmental triggers for development. Participants who provide contact information, a small blood sample and answer several questions about age, race and ethnicity will receive $20. For more information, contact Beverly A. Warden, PMP, Ph.D., MPH, at 1-800-860-3804.

Autoimmune Diseases. The NIEHS is recruiting adults and children to participate in two studies to understand the role that genes and environmental risk factors play in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis/juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma or myositis. Participants may enroll at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the Clinical Research Unit in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina or their local doctor's office. For more information see the announcements and websites below and to determine if you are eligible for this study, please contact the NIH patient information office at 1-800-411-1222 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010).

The Twin-Sibs Study (PI: Frederick Miller, M.D., Ph.D.)
The goal of this study is to examine the genetic and environmental risk factors in the development of autoimmune diseases in twins and same-sex siblings, when one has an autoimmune disease and the other does not. Adults and children may enroll by completing questionnaires and donating blood and urine samples.
For more information, please see the Twin-Sibs Study Web page.

The MYORISK Study (PI: Frederick Miller, M.D., Ph.D.)
This study intends to investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors involved in the development of myositis, an autoimmune muscle disease that causes chronic muscle weakness. Adults and children diagnosed with myositis within the last year may enroll by completing questionnaires and donating blood and urine samples.
For more information, please see the MYORISK Study Web page.

The Role of TGF-beta1 in Respiratory Virus-Induced Asthma Exacerbations (PI: Stavros Garantziotis, M.D.)
Asthma patients seem to be more prone to viral infections, and NIEHS scientists believe that the cells that line these patients' airways, cause this result by overproducing TGF-beta1, a protein that promotes viral growth. This study seeks participants with and without asthma to contribute airway cell samples.

The Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor SNPs in Receptor Function and Metabolic Disease (PIs: Stavros Garantziotis, M.D., and John Cidlowski, Ph.D.)
NIEHS researchers theorize that changes in the surface proteins of cells called receptors may predispose people to diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. This study needs volunteers to undergo tests to determine how these changes or variants lead to illness.

Role of p53 Genetic Variants in Inflammation and Carcinogenesis (PI: Michael Resnick, Ph.D.)
The gene p53 suppresses cancer and inflammation in the body, and NIEHS investigators speculate that changes in p53 lead to changes in inflammation and the ability to repair DNA damage. This study wants blood samples from participants to find out how the changes in p53 lead to these conditions.

NIEHS Studies - Closed for Recruitment

Breast Cancer Research. The NIEHS-led Sister Study is a nationwide study of sisters of women who have had breast cancer. The purpose of the Sister Study is to learn how the environment and genes may interact to affect the chances of getting breast cancer. The Sister Study completed enrollment in March 2009. To learn more about the study, visit The Sister Study or el Estudio de Hermanas .

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Twin Sisters. The NIEHS is studying polycystic ovary syndrome in twins to find out if it is caused by genetics, environmental triggers or a combination of both. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Twin Sisters study has completed enrollment.

Dust mite Reduction Study. The Dust Mite Reduction Study helps children with dust mite allergies or sensitivities by teaching them how to reduce dust mites in their homes. The study has completed enrollment, but to learn more about the project, contact Michelle Sever at 919-541-2999.